Business Journal: OptiSolar Plans Solar Farm

One of McClellan Park’s largest tenants plans to build the largest photovoltaic solar farm in the world.

Solar power company OptiSolar has big plans. The company announced plans for a $1 billion, 550-megawatt solar farm. That would produce enough energy to power about 190,000 California homes. The farm is planned for northwestern San Luis Obispo County. It would cover 9.5 square miles. The company also has plans for solar farms in Canada. OptiSolar won’t say much about its financial status, so it’s unclear whether it can follow through on the goals. It did raise $130 million through sales of preferred stock, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company plans to begin manufacturing solar panels at its McClellan plant this year. With 270 employees now, executives expect to have 500 people at McClellan by 2011.